The official gateway to Devon museums

Ashburton Museum

In 1285 by a Charter of Edward 1st Ashburton became a Stannary Town - one of four in Devon.
Tin Mining has played a great part in the development of the town as has the Woollen Industry.

A lovely local museum, the only one within the Dartmoor National Park, is full of well displayed exhibitions of Dartmoor artefacts, local history and geology, posters, documents and Ashburton Worthies spread over 3 floors which help bring alive the local history and of course, the everyday townsfolk.
Not forgetting the Paul Endacott North American Indian Collection.

Agriculture

There are many artefacts showing how agriculture has progressed over time. There is an interesting collection of tools from the 18th century onwards including peat cutting tools as well as these images of man and pole traps.

North American Indian artefacts

It also has a collection of North American Indian artefacts given to the Museum by a prominent American, who was descended from an Ashburton family, part of whom settled in

Fashion

On the first floor there is an interesting lace collection much of it having personal conections with Ashburton families. Mrs Barling presented the museum with a party dress worn by her as a child and the yellow silk wedding dress was worn by Mrs Barrie, of East Street.

Industry

There is a small display about the town mills and umber mining and items relating to wool processing which was once important in Ashburton.

Ancient Traditions - Court Leet

Ashburton upholds the tradition of Court Leet developed as a means of ensuring standards such as sales of food/drink/agriculture were adhered to. Bread Weighers for verifying freshness/weight of bread sold. Ale Taster to ensure quality of ale & to check true measures used

Admission & prices

Opening Times:

May to September each year.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons between 2pm and 4.00pm
Saturday mornings from 10am to 12noon.

Museum news

Information

Ashburton is a small town and shops and cafes are within an easy level walk.

Whilst every effort is being made to help those with a disability the layout with steep narrow stairs is not suitable for wheelchair access and the building is too small for a lift, but there is plenty to see on the ground floor.

There are many exhibits of interest to children.

Although we do not have facilities in the museum there are plenty of tea rooms in the town along with public conveniences in the nearby car park.